Day Lake dam
Day Lake
Day Lake, also known as Wilderness Dam, is a captivating water resource nestled in Ashland, Wisconsin. Managed by the Forest Service, this concrete dam stands at a height of 25 feet and was completed in 1968 for recreational purposes, with a storage capacity of 6,180 acre-feet. The dam offers a serene surface area of 640 acres, drawing in water and climate enthusiasts to witness the beauty of the CHIPPEWA RIV W FORK flowing through the area.
Despite its high hazard potential, Day Lake remains a popular spot for fishing and wildlife observation. With a moderate risk assessment rating, the dam is closely monitored by the Forest Service, ensuring the safety of visitors and the surrounding environment. The last inspection in August 2020 revealed a high hazard potential, prompting continued vigilance from authorities to uphold the dam's integrity and protect the surrounding community in Clam Lake, WI.
The rich history and recreational value of Day Lake make it a must-visit destination for those interested in water resources and climate. With its scenic surroundings and diverse wildlife, this federal-owned gem offers a unique opportunity to appreciate nature's beauty while learning about the importance of responsible water management and conservation efforts in the region.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Day Lake -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bad River Near Mellen | 101 cfs | → |
| Namekagon River At Leonards | 138 cfs | → |
| White River Near Ashland | 245 cfs | → |
| Bad River Near Odanah | 390 cfs | → |
| Chippewa River At Bishops Bridge Near Winter | 601 cfs | → |
| North Fish Creek Near Moquah | 55 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Day Lake.
Boat launches
- Day Lake - Access
- Upper Clam Lake - Clam Lake - Access
- Lower Clam Lake -- Access At Nw End Of Lake
- East Twin Lake - Access Off Forest Rd 190
- South Garden Avenue 25299, Town Of Namakagon
- Coffee Lake Road Town Of Grandview
Campgrounds
- Day Lake Recreation Area Campground
- Day Lake Recreation Area
- Day Lake
- East Twin
- East Twin Recreation Area Campground
- East Twin Recreation Area
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- East Forest Boundary To Forest Road 162 Crossing
- Forest Road 162 Crossing To Bridge On Blaisdell Lake
- Forest Road 149 To West Forest Boundary
- Forest Road 148 To Forest Road 149
- Forest Road 144 To Forest Road 148
- Footbridge To Forest Road 144
More reservoirs
Track Day Lake in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Day Lake
Where does the data for Day Lake come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the High hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Day Lake.